Iron Girl 2013: Did I mention that I can't really swim?

Last night, I had my first session with the Triathlon Team at my gym. It was a swim day. Yeah, did I mention that I can't really swim? I can play in the water...float, sit on the bottom of the pool, etc. But I can't swim. I got chicken pox the week that my mom signed me up for swim lessons. I was in second grade. There was no make up session; therefore I never finished the class.

So, here I am more than 30 years later...finally learning to swim. My tri-coach, Brian, who happens to be both a life guard and swim instructor, is starting me on the basics. I'm learning to breathe...right swimming 101. But I'm so happy to finally be in the pool...to start working towards my goal of doing a triathlon (sprint)!

It may not sound like a big deal to some, but the journey to this place has been a tough one. I've been talking about this thing for the last 5 years, but most of that was just...talk. I didn't realize it until a couple of months ago when they announced the tri-team start-up for 2013. Put it right there in my face. For the first 4 weeks, I thought about all of the reasons that I wasn't ready to do this. I didn't have a bike...I need to lose some more weight first...I can't swim. I was, in short...scared to fail. But...I got over it.

I knew I was over it...when I got in the pool yesterday and did the first few practice exercises. Something in me settled down. I became present. I was in the moment. I wasn't thinking about anything else but being in the pool learning to swim. I wasn't thinking about how my body looked in a swimsuit or comparing myself to the other members of the team who were swimming laps, laps, and more laps. I wasn't...comparing myself to anyone. It was a sweet spot.

That 'competitive' thing that I used to do...was gone. It was just me...in a pool...trying to glide, kick, breathe, and stroke. Nothing else. For this...I am tremendously grateful.